At Ode Ventures, our portfolio is extremely diverse. Our reach spans across multiple different industries, from tech support to blueberry farms, to the point where new entrepreneurs seeking support may scratch their heads and ask themselves: Does my business fit within their vision?
Rest assured, there is a correlation between the businesses we decide to invest in that boils down to a simple word: people. Some may not fully believe in the simplicity of that statement, but it remains true throughout all of our actions at Ode Ventures. Every decision we carry out and every operation we uphold is defined not just by the qualities of the industry but also by the founders who lead them.
That’s why in this article, we’ll be breaking down the traits that brought us to each of our for-profit portfolio investments and the outstanding people behind them. We hope this list can serve as a guide for those seeking support and help entrepreneurs determine whether Ode Ventures is a right fit for their needs.
In 2021, Steve Suntula came to Ode Ventures with a mission to improve people’s lives through ketamine therapy. Already extremely knowledgeable in the industry, he understood the responsibility that came with healthcare and demonstrated a strong commitment to building an effective, quality-driven operation focused on patient care. Steve’s determination was palpable, and we were willing to take a risk, knowing that New Pathways would never fail from a lack of effort or care.
Today, New Pathways is one of the leading ketamine clinics in Ohio, dedicated to providing alternative care to those struggling with treatment-resistant mental health conditions. With multiple locations and growing, Steve continues to provide quality care and change people’s lives every day by providing an alternative, impactful solution to mental health care.
We believe New Pathways continues to grow not just because of its incredible business model but because of its founder’s character. Across New Pathways locations, patients consistently experience attentive care, compassion, and professionalism from staff who clearly believe in the mission behind their work. This is why the people behind the business are so critical to us. Steve and his team exemplify the kind of impact that can be created when great leadership supports a mission-driven business.
Knudsen Safety Kontrols (KSK) is a one-stop shop for traffic control, providing road management for maintenance, construction, storm repair, and private events. KSK is one of our newest ventures that we were drawn to because of its leanness and scalability. Though this was only half of the picture.
From the beginning, founder Cole Knudsen approached the field with a mindset focused on improvement. Beyond the company’s operational efficiency, Cole demonstrated a genuine desire to raise the standard for safety and professionalism within the industry itself.
Not only that, but Cole is eager, bright, and displays an incredible ability to adapt and move forward through uncertainty. These are qualities we feel are essential for founders to possess, regardless of industry, and because of this, we felt confident in moving forward with a partnership. Since then, Cole has continued his initial differentiator by going above and beyond in terms of safety through the implementation of body cameras and additional certifications for his crew. Cole's team is also consistently bettering themselves within the field through learning opportunities and, most of all, making sure each job is done with excellent quality and care.
All these things combined, we are proud to be partners with Cole and his team. Cole's character has shown expertise and incredible growth within his industry, and we remain confident KSK will continue on a strong path forward.
CMIT Solutions is a franchise that provides IT support and technology services throughout the nation. While the strength of the company and the industry itself carried potential for expansion, what ultimately drew us to IT was the leadership and mindset behind the business.
From day one, President Brendan Schmolz of the Cleveland SW and Akron region has been committed to CMIT’s growth and his own as a business owner and leader. Whether taking courses like the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program or his constant striving towards operational improvement, Brendan is constantly looking for ways he and his team can expand their skill set.
Equally important is Brendan’s ability to simplify complex problems into practical, understandable solutions. In an era where technology is evolving rapidly, Brendan and his team have also shown an ability to adapt alongside changing threats and competition within the field.
Under Brendan’s leadership, CMIT continues to grow while maintaining a consistent standard of reliable service. Because of this, we remain confident in our partnership and in CMIT’s ability to provide quality IT solutions to communities throughout the region.
Ode Custom Renovations (OCR) stood out to us because of the clear need in the renovation industry for both excellent craftsmanship and reliable customer service. Under OCR’s leadership, we knew that gap could be filled.
Inspired by the renovation work of his own father, founder David Rhoades takes service a step further by truly putting people first. Not only does OCR offer a one-stop shop for all renovation projects, but David’s team is also committed to quality customer service that makes sure clients are seen and heard. No phone call gets left unanswered, every project is treated as if it were for their own friends or family, and exceptional attention to detail is standard across every project.
Not only that, but David made a commitment to us from the beginning to make OCR a great place to work. From highlighting intentionality within work culture to consistent experience and pay, he understood that long-term quality starts internally with the people carrying out job responsibilities each day.
From his work ethic and actions alone, we understood David as a founder who followed through on his word and someone we wanted to invest in. Since our partnership, intentionality has been at the center of OCR for customers and employees alike. That commitment reflects the standard we strive to uphold across all our ventures.
Before our investment, Columbia Hills had unfortunately fallen into poor condition. The grounds were not being properly maintained, the food service had declined in quality, and the overall experience no longer reflected the history or potential of the club itself.
We understood revitalizing Columbia Hills would require significant work and the right leadership to carry a new vision forward.
Under new management, Columbia Hills began to sustainably improve. Today, Mike Jaeger, Columbia Hills' current general manager, carries on that legacy and continues to be the right person for the job. For Mike, quality either meets the standard or it doesn’t; every day, he shows up with dedication towards excellent customer service and hospitality. We don’t think it’s a coincidence that since his involvement, Columbia Hills has transformed into a fully revitalized community, with a full membership and waitlist.
Mike is a perfect example of a person fully dedicated to their craft that we strive to build businesses around. Even with its success, Mike always sets the bar higher by making sure all standards are exceeded, pushing for remodeled areas, well-maintained courses, and constant community events and offerings for members old and new. Because of this, we are proud of our investment in not just Columbia Hills but also Mike’s exceptional leadership.
Martin Blueberries is a U-Pick blueberry farm with a rich history in the community. With our purchase of the farm in 2025, we understood the potential of the land to once again become a thriving hub for families and locals, and needed someone who had a deep passion and skill for horticulture.
Jessica Roberts has played an essential role in bringing that vision to life. From the beginning, Jessica has put the farm first, maintaining permaculture farming practices, caring for the land year-round, and ensuring crops are maintained even outside of blueberry season.
Jessica approaches her work with dedication and care every single day. At the heart of it all is her genuine love for the community and her desire to create a place where families can gather, create memories, and enjoy the experience of the farm together. Not only that, but Jessica is constantly looking at other ways she can serve the community through seasonal events and small gatherings.
We’re grateful to have someone like Jessica helping move Martin Blueberries forward. Through her dedication and care, the farm is steadily becoming a place known for its quality crops, meaningful experiences, and lasting memories for families and friends alike.
Though each of our industries differs, people consistently remain at the heart of all our investments. While the founders and leaders across our portfolio come from different backgrounds, skill sets, and walks of life, many qualities remain true across the board: passion, tenacity, excellence, strong work ethic, adaptability, and resilience, just to name a few.
Though business models and industries may evolve over time, we believe these qualities remain the most important when deciding upon partnerships. We are proud of our portfolio companies (and most of all, the people behind them) and are excited to see their continued growth over the years to come.
Ode Ventures is an investment firm and incubator for small businesses, providing capital, resources, and expertise for service-based entrepreneurs. Learn more about who we are and the impact we’re making in our communities here.
